Laser Lessons - Lesson

Understand theoretical approaches to play and learning

Watch ‘Early Childhood Education (Montessori, Waldorf and Reggio Emilia)’ produced by Adrian Cheung. This is a brief overview on three different approaches in the Early Childhood Education: Montessori, Waldorf and Reggio Emilia. They are also tied to different learning theories such as social constructivism, discovery learning and constructionism.

Table of Contents

Tutorial Video
Tutorial Video
Reading Materials

‘Types of early childhood program philosophies’ from E Learning
‘Tutor Guide’ from NCFE CACHE
‘Understanding and encouraging toddler play’ from the Community Playthings website.
‘The play cycle’ from Oxfordshire County Council
'Laser Learning reading text: Philosophical approaches and play theories'
Laser Reading Text: ‘Theorist table’

Presentation

Click on the icon to the left to launch this lesson's presentation called 'Is play necessary?'
Click on the icon to the left to launch this lesson's presentation on 'Philosophical approaches to play'.
Click on the icon to the left to launch this lesson's presentation on 'Learning through play'.

Good Practice Example
Good Practice Example
Good Practice Example
Interactive Quiz
Evidence Opportunities
Extended Learning

Click on the link to read this article ‘Different Approaches to Teaching: Comparing Three Preschool Programs’ by Amy Sussna Klein. The article also includes the High Scope approach to teaching, and covers the main components, curriculum and environmental set up of each approach, as well as looking at how to tell if a school is fully following the approach.
This article from the Twinkl website covers ‘Play theories in early years’ and includes Piaget, Vygotsky, Montessori, and Isaacs.

Extended Learning
Extended Learning
Think And Challenge